Dry-sealing envelope



May 24, 1938. v. E. HEYwooD DRY SEALING ENVELOPE Filed June 14, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet l g Jan/72577757:

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 V. E. HEYWOOD DRY SEALING ENVELOPE Filed June 14, 1937 May 24, 1938.

"I Il II/ Mayw24, 1938- V. E. HEYwooD 2,118,706

DRY SEALEING ENVELOPE Filed June 14, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 @MZ-gj Patented May 24, 1938 Unirse' STATES PATENT FFCE 2,118,706- nRY-sEALING ENvELoPn Application June 14, 1937, Serial No. 148,119

16 Claims.

The present invention relates to dry-sealing envelopes or containers, i. e., envelopes that are adapted to be sealed by bringing areas coated with dry-sealing adhesive into non-moistened Contact.

One extremely simple form of dry-sealing envelope is characterized by the provision of parallel bands of dry-sealing adhesive applied to the seal flap and body of the envelope, respectively, at substantially equal distances from the fold line of the seal ap; sealing being effected by merely folding over the flap to bring the adhesive areas into engagement. In order to prevent accidental engagement between the drysealing adhesive areas, prior to the loading and sealing of such envelopes, various expedients have heretofore been employed, in the nature of special folding over of the envelope material, or by providing additional material serving as an interleaf between the dry-sealing adhesive areas. All such expedients, however, for packing and handling without accidental engagement between the adhesive areas, add to the cost of producing dry-sealing envelopes.

According to the present invention, the problem of separating the dry-sealing adhesive areas is solved without adding appreciably to the cost of manufacture, by utilizing a portion of the envelope that ordinarily serves a dierent purpose. Thus, in an envelope providing a lining, such as is employed to render the envelope opaque, a portion ofl this lining is disposed between the dry-sealing adhesive areas to prevent their accidental engagement. Similarly, in an envelope employing a transparent window panel, a portion of the `panel or patch material is utilized to separate the dry-sealing adhesive areas. The above and other advantageous features of the invention will hereinafter more fully appear from the following description, considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in whichzi Fig. l is a plan view of an envelope providing a lining adapted to separate the dry-sealing adhesive areas.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, illustrating the packing of the envelope. Y

Fig. 4 shows the envelope loaded and ready sealing.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View, along the line bci Fig. 4. y

Fig. 6 is a sectional View, showing the envelope in .sealed condition.

Fig. '7 is a plan view oi an envelope providing windownpatch material adapted to separate the dry-sealing adhesive areas.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view, along the line t--t of Fig. 'l'.

Fig. 9 is aseotional view, illustrating the packing of the envelope.

Fig. 10 illustrates removal of a portion of the patch material, preparatory to sealing.

Fig. ll is a sectional view, showing the envelope in sealed condition.

Figs. l2 and 13 are views similar to Figs. l and 2, illustrating a modified form of envelope, with a partial lining strip.

Figs. 14 and 15 are views illustrating a different arrangement of the lining strip.

Like reference characters referto like parts in the different figures.

Referring to the drawings, the envelope comprises opposed walls l and 2, with a seal flap 3 extending from the wall l. The wall 2 and the flap ii are provided with parallel bands of dry-sealing adhesive i and d that are disposed at equal distances from. a light score line (i, between the flap 3 and wall 2. By the term' drysealing adhesive, is meant any adhesive which, when in a dry condition, has the property of adhering to itself upon non-moistened contact, al though it will not so adhere to uncoated areas of the materials commonly employed in the manufacture of envelopes, or other containers.

The envelope also comprises a lining 1, preferably of tinted tissue, or other suitable opaque material ordinarily employed for envelope linings. 'I'he lining is of substantially the same Width as the envelope pocket, and of a length somewhat less than the overall length of the blank from which the envelope is made.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the lining 'l is adhesively secured to the inside of the rear wall 2, as indicated at 8, from which point it extends downwardly inside the envelope pocket to a point considerably above the lower edge of the envelope. Here, the lining ll is folded and extends upwardly outside of the envelope pocket, with its upper edge substantially coinciding with the margin of the seal flap 3. It is to be noted that the distance between the fold 'la of the lining l and the lower edge of the envelope pocket is substantially equal to the width of the band of adhesive t on the seal flap t.

With the lining l arranged as described above, it is evident that when the seal iiap t is folded over for packing the envelope, as shown in Fig. 3, a free portion of the lining l will be interposed between the oppositely facing dry-sealing adhesive areas 4 and 5. Therefore, the drysealing adhesive will be effectively maintained out of accidental engagement, while entirely covered, and the envelope of Fig. 3 may be packed with others, in the usual manner.

When it is desired to load and seal the envelope of Fig. 1, the enclosure is inserted in the open mouth o f the envelope in the usual manner, the

enclosure being received between the opposed portions of the lining 1. As the enclosure is pushed down into the envelope pocket, it engages the fold-'Ia in the lining 'I and draws the free lining material above the fold downwardly towards the bottom of the envelope, the enclosure in its final position being indicated at 9 in dotted lines in Fig. 4. Since the upper portion of the lining 'I is free of the envelope wall I, the insertion of the enclosure 9 is in no way hampered by the presence of the lining, which is thus drawn down readily to expose the adhesive 5 on the seal flap 3. The envelope may then be sealed by folding over the flap 3 to engage the opposed areas of dry-sealing adhesive I and 5, as shown in Fig. 6.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, an envelope generally similar to the envelope of Fig. 1, comprises opposed walls I and 2', with dry-sealing adhesive 4 and 5 applied to the wall 2 and seal flap 3', respectively. The envelope also provides a window opening I0 in the wall I', and this opening is covered by a panel or patch II of transparent material of the character ordinarily employed for window envelopes.- I'he patch II is adhesiveiy secured around the window opening I0, and extends freely above the window opening outside the envelope pocket, where it terminates substantially in line with the upper margin of the seal flap 3'.

The patch material II provides a line of light scoring or perforations I2 substantially coinciding with the score line Ii' of the seal ap 3|. Consequently, the relatively stiff patch material II readily folds over with the seal iiap 3', as indicated in Fig. 9, where it separates the areas of dry-sealing adhesive 4' and 5', and so permits the envelope to be packed with others, in the usual manner.

When it is desired to load and seal the envelope, the seal flap 3 is turned back as shown in Fig. 7, and the surplus patch material II extending beyond the mouth of the envelope, can be readily torn along the scored or perforated fold line I2, as indicated in Fig. 10. This removal of the patch material exposes the adhesive 5' on the seal iiap 3', and the envelope can readily be sealed after loading by folding over the ap 3' to engage the areas of dry-sealing adhesive 4 and 5', as shown in Fig. 11.

Referring now to Figs. 12 and 13, the invention is shown as being embodied in a modified form of envelope, in which the rear wall comprises side flaps I3 and a bottom flap Il, with areas I5 of dry-sealing adhesive applied to the side flaps I3. The seal flap I3 provides a dry-sealing adhesive area I'I, adapted to contact the adhesive areas I5 when the flap I6 is folded over.

. A strip I3, preferably composed of tissue material similar to the lining l, is disposed in the mouth of the envelope pocket, with one margin of the strip Il folded over the edge of the side aps I3 to form a lip I3, which holds the strip in position. The remainder of the strip I3 extends within the envelope pocket for 'a short distance, where it is folded as lnditated t 20, and

then extends upwardly outside of the envelope pocket, with its upper free edge substantially coinciding with the margin of the seal ap I6. Thus, the envelope of Fig. 12 may be packed in the same manner as described with reference to Fig. 3, with a portion of the strip I8 disposed between the oppositely facing dry-sealing adhesive areas I1 and I5.

When it is desired to load and seal the envelope of Fig. l2, the enclosure is'inserted in the open mouth of the envelope in the usual manner, and as it is pushed down, it engages the fold 20a and draws the strip I8 downwardly to the bottom of the envelope, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 13. Since the holding lip I9 is relatively narrow, the insertion of the enclosure readily draws the lip back, so that the entire strip is forced downwardly into the envelope pocket to expose the adhesive I'I on the seal flap I6, preparatory to sealing by folding over the flap I6.

Referring to Figs. 14 and l5, an envelope similar to the envelope of Fig. l1, provides dry-sealing adhesive areas 4 and 5" applied to the wall 2" and seal iiap 3, respectively. 'I'he adhesive l is spaced from the upper edge of the Wall 2" and a strip 2I is folded over this edge and secured to the wall above the adhesive l, as indicated at 2Ia. The remainder of the strip 2I extends within the envelope pocket where it is folded at 22 and then extends upwardly outside of the pocket to substantially coincide with the seal iiap 3". When loading the envelope of Fig. 14, the enclosure engages the fold 22 and readily draws the free portion of the strip downwardly, as indicated in dotted lines, to expose the seal flap adhesive 5", preparatory to sealing.'

From the foregoing, it is apparent that by the present invention there is provided a dry-sealing envelope, characterized by the utilization of material ordinarily employed for a lining or a window patch to separate the dry-sealing adhesive areas when packing or otherwise handling the envelope, in advance of loading and sealing.

I claim:

1. An envelope having its body and a flap provided with areas of dry-sealing adhesive and a free portion extending from inside the envelope pocket for separating said dry-sealing adhesive areas when said ap is folded over for packing the envelope.

2. An envelope having its body and a flap provided, with areas of dry-sealing adhesive and a free portion extending from' inside the envelope pocket for maintaining said dry-sealing adhesive out of engagement when said flap is folded over for packing the envelope, with said adhesive areas in overlying relation.

3. An envelope having one wall and a flap provided with areas of dry-sealing adhesive and a free portion extending from within the envelope pocket and coextensive with said flap for disposal between said dry-sealing adhesive areas when said iiap is folded over for packing the envelope.

4. An envelope having one wail and a flap provided with areas of dry-sealing adhesive and a free portion extending from within the envelope pocketv and coextensive with said flap for maintaining said dry-sealing adhesive areas out of engagement when said flap is folded over for paci: ing the envelope, with said adhesive areas in overlying relation.

5. An envelope having its body and a flap provided with areas of dry-sealing adhesive and a lining for the envelope pocket providing a free portion disposed between said dry-sealing adhesive areas when said flap is folded over for packing the envelope.

6. An envelope having its body and a flap provided with areas of dry-sealing adhesive and a lining for the envelope pocket providing a free portion extending outside the pocket and foldable with said flap to separate said dry-sealing adhesive areas.

7. An envelope having its body and a iiap provided with areas of dry-sealing adhesive and a lining for the envelope pocket providing a free portion extending outside the pocket and foldable with said flap to separate said dry-sealing adhesive areas, and thereby permit packing said envelope with said adhesive areas in overlying relation.

8. An envelope having one wall and a flap provided Withareas of dry-sealing adhesive and a lining attached to the inside of said wall and eX- tending freely outside of the envelope pocket for separating said dry-sealing adhesive areas when said flap is folded over.

9. An envelope having one wall and a flap provided with areas of dry-sealing adhesive and a lining attached to the inside of said walland extending freely outside of the envelope pocket for maintaining said dry-sealing adhesive areas out of engagement when said ap is folded over, for packing said envelope with said adhesive areas in overlying relation.

10. Agenvelope having one wall and a flap provided with areas of dry-sealing adhesive and a lining attached to the inside of said wall and extending freely outside of the envelope pocket for covering the adhesive area on said flap.

11. An envelope having one wall and a flap provided with areas of dry-sealingadhesive and a lining attached to the inside oi' said wall and extending freely outside of the envelope pocket for covering the adhesive area. on said iiap. insertion of an enclosure within the envelope serving to draw the extending portion of the lining within the pocket to uncover said flap adhesive area.

12. An envelope having. one wall and a ap provided with areas of dry-sealing adhesive, with the other envelope wall providing a window opening, and a patch covering said opening and extending freely outside of the envelope pocket for separating said dryi-sealing adhesive areas when said flap is folded over.

13. An envelope having one wall and a flap provided with areas of dry-sealing adhesive, with the other envelope wall providing a window opening, and a transparent patch covering said opening and extending freely outside of the envelope pocket for maintaining said dry-sealing adhesive areas out of engagement when said flap is folded over, for packing said envelope with said adhesive areas in overlying relation.

14. An envelope having one wall and a ap provided with areas of dry-sealing adhesive, with the other envelope wall providing a window opening and a transparent patch covering said opening and extending freely outside of the envelope pocket for separating said dry-sealing adhesive areas when said flap is folded over, the extending portion of said patch being removable to permit engagement of said adhesive areas for sealing.

15. An envelope having one wall and a flap provided with areas of dry-sealing adhesive and a strip disposed partially within the envelope pocket and providing a portion extending freely outside of the pocket for separating said drysealing adhesive areas when the said flap is folded over.

16. An envelope having one wall and a ap provided with areas of dry-sealing adhesive and a strip disposed partially within the envelope pocket and providing a portion extending freely outside of the pocket for separating said drysealing adhesive areas when the said ap is folded over, said strip being folded over the free edge of said wall and being attached to the outside 40 of said wall adjacent to the wall adhesive area.

VINCENT E. HEYWOOD. 

